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Work could start in spring 2018 if granted permission
United Utilities plans to expand its generation of renewable energy by installing solar canopies over the car parking bays at its head office in Warrington.
If approved, the solar canopies could produce up to 1.8GWh of power, helping offset a third of the site’s power demand.
United Utilities already produces energy from ground-mounted solar arrays on more than 50 of its operational sites around the North West, as well as a floating solar array on a reservoir near Hyde.
Steve Slavin, head of renewable energy at United Utilities, said: “Our headquarters at Lingley Mere are the offices for some 4,000 employees. There’s also a data centre and onsite restaurant so the demand for power is substantial.
“We already have solar arrays mounted on the roofs of some of the buildings, and now we are looking at how we can maximise the renewable potential of the land area taken up by the car parks.”
He added: “It’s our aim to reduce the amount of power we buy from the grid in order to control our operating costs and keep customers’ bills as affordable as possible.”
The scheme, which is still in the early planning stages, could see construction start in spring 2018, if permission is granted.
It will also include charging points to cater for the expected growth in electric vehicles.
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